Mr Vladimir Cucić, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia, said at the opening of photo exibition New home that EU allocated 77 million euros for Serbia under the Regional Housing Programme to help provosion of housing for some 45,000 refugees.

On this occasion, Mr Cucic said that construction of 4 buildings in the village of Ovča with 235 apartments has started this year, while 270 apartments are planned for refugees in Kamendin, Zemun municipality.

Mr Oscar Benedict, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia pointed out that the EU is the major donor of for refugees and internally displaced persons in Serbia.

According to him, over the past 15 years, Serbia has been awarded some 90 million euros of grants through national programs. The largest amount of funds was earmarked for the provision of new accommodation.

He explained that the 60 exposed photographs illustrate the results of two major initiatives supported by the European Union aimed at providing permanent housing solutions and integration of refugees and displaced persons in the region - the Regional Housing Programme, worth more than 260 million EUR, and the project ’For a Better Life’ worth 14.2 million euros.

Mr Benedict underscored that the Union does not forget those who have passed through the horrors of war in the nineties and that today, 15-20 years later, and that the EU wants to be sure that they finally have a normal life and integration into society.

He recalled that in 2001 there were more than 300 collective centers in Serbia, whilst now there are only six, stressing out that the EU will continue helping until there is an adequate solution for the last refugee and internally displaced person, whether the return to their homeland or a new home in Serbia.

Guests were addressed by the Governor of the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), Mr Rolf Wenzel, and the opening was attended by members of refugee families who were awarded permanent housing solution and help to start a better life through one of the two projects/programs.

The exhibition will be opened until 19 January 2017. It is organized in the framework of the campaign "Serbia and the EU: 15 years of partnership."